"There is violence in kindness, and kindness in violence."

Io is one of three sisters descended from the fates, able to see and manipulate the threads that bind us to the people, places, and things we love. Godly descendants, known as other-born, always come in appropriately numbered groupings. As the youngest of her sisters, Io is the cutter of her family, capable of severing those threads where her eldest sister might cause one to grow and the middle one could strengthen or weaken them. Though all other-born are feared to some degree for what they can do, the exact, dangerous nature of Io's gift makes her a source of unease for the general populace. All the same, her P.I. business thrives because people need someone who can not only dig up evidence of infidelity, addiction, etc., but also someone who can see to the heart of the matter, as it were. Is it love? Can it be severed?

The book is set in a dystopian city that floods every day, sending people to higher ground to avoid the ravenous, mishmashed animals known as chimeras (got to love the myth references) coming in on the tide. At the beginning of the book, we find Io on the job, skittering across rooftops on a standard stakeout. Things don't stay predictable, though. The man she was sent to watch is murdered by an impossible woman, one whose life thread has been severed. The should-be corpse rants about justice, tries to kill Io, too, and lands Io in the crosshairs of both the police and the local crime boss. It seems this is actually the third such case in recent weeks, and Bianca Rossi wants to hire Io to get to the bottom of things. Io knows she can't refuse the woman who single-handedly runs the neighborhood, but she doesn't want to accept. The truth is that Bianca's right-hand man, Edei, is connected to Io by a fate thread, one she's been avoiding pursuing for all the years since it appeared. Though curious to see what he could be to her and to cash in on the hope she's held of some loving destiny in her future, she's also wary of taking Edei's choice from him by introducing the bludgeon that is fate to his life.

This is a rare story where fated love didn't annoy me. I think part of it is that it's not limited to romantic or even human love in this world. A fate thread can lead to a cause or idea, a pet or best friend, a business partner or found family member. And the fact that threads can be cut, though only particular people can achieve it, adds choice to the equation. I found Io's struggle to decide if she ought to cut such a thread when connected to herself compelling, particularly when each of her sisters has such opposite advice on the matter. It also helps that I enjoyed the other aspects of the romance. For example, Io and Edei's banter is extra cute because they're not on the same wavelength, humor-wise, and their misfires end up being funnier than if they were just joking around and enjoying it.

The mystery at the center of Io and Edei's investigation is interesting, asking them to uncover a local history that has been intentionally buried and to consider aspects of magic in their world that shouldn't be possible. Io has a strong sense of morality that will pit her against all kinds of powerful people. From pragmatists bent on maintaining stability to idealists seeking a specific path to change to powerful operators who bask in their ability to control others, Io will face off against all these and more when she finds their means don't justify their ends. She has empathy for her fellow everyday people who make hard, imperfect decisions because of limited options. That doesn't stop her from arguing with or going after the people with power who do have options and choose paths that affect the population at large, using an impersonal calculus to decide what consequences are desirable and what other repercussions are unpalatable but necessary and allowable. The more the case unfurls, the more Io's perturbed by all the people focused on the big picture rather than the specific, human lives being sacrificed along the way.

All these machinations put Io in challenging situations with loved ones. While she and Edei largely remain on the same page about what's right, the story capitalizes on the complicated feelings she has for her sisters and the way time has added distance between her and her best friend. The tangled histories in Io's life are compelling and add a personal touch to her work. She has some trauma in her past that the story asks her to view in a new light. Some relationships will strengthen and others will fray. Love doesn't guarantee that people end up on the same side of historic happenings.

This is a book that integrates myth, mystery, and a sweet romance subplot to tell an engaging and action-oriented story. I found it a page-turner, and I'm excited to read the other book in the duology to see how things end up for Io and the people in her orbit. Thanks to Razorbill for my copy to read and review!

There's magic and mythology. Gangs and murders and the twist at the end! The magic system is so interesting and unique in this story. And the idea that there is soulmate love story growing right in the middle of all this action is perfect!
The magic and the world building is complex and there were a few times that I had trouble following but overall it was really interesting and engaging in concept. Everyone had unique abilities which at times did make it hard to keep up with but again was very interesting.

There was a mystery that had me hooked with the twists and turns. There were aspects of Greek mythology and Egyptian dieties mixed together.

I would definitely read this book again in the future

I tried to read this book a few times but I struggled every time. This one is not for me. I struggled with the characters and the plot. I just found myself being bored and not able to really get in to the story.

I mainly picked this up bc the cover is so gorgeous and i loved that Greek mythology was involved- and i don't want to say I'm disappointed... but i think that great concept was let down a little by the execution, unfortunately

Would highly recommend this to someone who loved Percy Jackson and is looking for more books about Greek mythology. I thought it was really different to focus on the descendants of the three fates, vs the major/well known Gods.

I just finished reading Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou, and wow—I was completely hooked from the very first chapter. The worldbuilding is phenomenal: a gritty, post-apocalyptic city layered with political tension and rooted in Greek mythology. I especially loved the twist of following the youngest of the three Fate sisters—it's such a fresh and compelling perspective.

What stood out most to me was the magic system, which felt both unique and deeply tied to the themes of fate, identity, and control. The blend of fantasy and mystery was seamless, and the plot kept me turning pages well into the night. Add in some juicy threads of betrayal, fated love (my favorite trope!), and complex family dynamics, and this book became an instant favorite.

If you're into mythology with a dark, modern edge and enjoy strong character development and a fast-paced story, I can't recommend this enough

Loved the unique magic, gritty post-apocalyptic setting and Greek mythology twist in this book! Already looking forward to reading the sequel

I devoured this book. It was so good and the characters were amazing. My first book by Kika and I look forward to what she does next.

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first chapter. Great character building, mythology, and story line

Is this far too nitpicky? Yes. Do I care? Don't answer that.
So, if you're going to set up a whole ass magic system based on crewel work, for the love of all that is holy, please don't call it a damn quilt.

The story follows Io, a descendant of the Fates with the rare ability to sever threads of destiny. As a private investigator in a gritty, post-apocalyptic city, she’s hired to solve a series of mysterious murders that seem to be connected to fate magic. But as she unravels the case, she discovers a web of corruption, hidden truths, and a conspiracy that challenges everything she thought she knew. Along the way, she navigates complicated relationships, including a slow-burn romance with the enigmatic Edei, and the tense, fractured bond with her long-lost sisters.

Io is strong-willed, smart, and morally complex and this makes her compelling as the lead character. The political power struggles and the fate-based magic make it an immersive setting. The new take on Greek mythology is exciting and futuristic.

Threads That Bind is a must-read for fans of mythology-inspired fantasies with a dark and mysterious edge. If you enjoy books like Lore by Alexandra Bracken or The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, you’ll likely love this one. With a cliffhanger ending, the sequel is sure to be just as intense and gripping.

Threads That Bind offers a fascinating and immersive world that truly excels in its world-building. The setting is a post-apocalyptic landscape where magic and gods are intricately woven into a society still grappling with gangs, prejudice, and murder. While the world-building was incredibly rich, it did make the story move a bit slowly at times. However, I really appreciated how the author took the time to craft such a detailed, realistic environment that felt grounded despite the fantastical elements.

Io, the protagonist, was such a compelling character to follow. Her inner struggles with guilt and self-confidence made her feel very human, even in such a harsh world. Her journey is emotional and layered, giving the story real depth.

One of the things I especially enjoyed was the casual and natural inclusion of several queer side characters. It felt seamless and thoughtfully done, adding another layer of richness to the narrative without it feeling forced.

Overall, Threads That Bind is a strong start to the series, offering a mix of mystery, magic, and well-developed characters in a world that feels both gritty and magical. I’m excited to see where this story goes next!

This is a new take on a Greek mythology retelling. I am VERY into Mythology retellings. I usually stick to more dark or gritty retellings but this is a nice YA take on a Greek myth.

I haven't read a ton of fates retellings so i was interested to see how this would pan out. The FMC is a direct descendent of the fates and she must solve a series of murders to save her sisters , her mate and the city she lives in.
The FMC is the youngest of the three sisters and she is a private detective who is currently working on solving a string of murders where she comes to discover that their life thread was cut short. The act of cutting the life thread early is creating wraiths that are becoming a menace in the city.
During the investigation she becomes intertwined with a mob boss and some unlikely allies.

The cover is stunning, its what first really drew me into it.

This is a great place to start for some one who is in the YA level books to get in to some more of the mythology retellings.

This does have romance but its not "spicy" so its good for that late teenage audience or some one who prefers low heat romance. Lots of cute wholesome moments as well.


#ThreadsThatBind #NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Razorbill

Threads That Bind is a fantasy thriller based on Greek mythology. Though it's arguably on the lower end of fantasy, set in a world that's not too different from ours, the mythology is pretty intense so not for newbies. It's based on the somewhat more obscure mythology of the fates and follows Io, the youngest in a set of Fate sisters who uses her powers to work as a private investigator.
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It's Io's work as a PI where the mystery/thriller element comes in. There appears to be a serial killer who is targeting woman in her city, and Io must work with a seemingly ragtag group of people, including her childhood bestie and the boy whose soulmate she appears to be, to find the killer. There's a nice combination of fantasy and thriller elements, but even with the mythology piece, the mystery never gets too convoluted. Things get complicated for Io when she learns that their main suspect is the fiance of her semi-estranged eldest sister Thais.
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A big part of this story is actually about sibling relationships, and I thought that Hatzopoulou depicted Io's complicated relationships with Thais as well as her other sister Ava sensitively. Io arguably has a bad case of youngest child syndrome, but you really can't blame her when you see how her sisters have both helped her and let her down in her life. Given this context, Io has to reconcile her feelings about her sister with her suspicions about her fiance, and I felt it was done well.
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Overall, an engaging read.

I like the premise of this book and I love all mythology, but this book was too young adult for me. I know I'm not the intended age demographic for this novel though, so I'm sure young adult readers will enjoy it.

"One to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads."

This fantasy/mystery successfully weaves together an innovative magic system, politics (yes politics!), fated love (my favorite trope next to enemies to lovers), and familial perfidy and betrayal. The FMC Io and her sisters are "descendants of the fates" which in this case issssss not a good thing. Being *other* in this case is like being born on the wrong side of the tracks and obviously sets forth it's own set of challenges. FMC is basically racing against a ticking clock to solve the mystery behind a series of murders-and the only way to solve them? Being forced to partner up with her fated partner to her chagrin.

I recommend this if you like fast paced fantasy- heavy on the plot instead of the romance. It keeps you on your toes and the world is fun to be in!

I liked the world and the different powers each person had. I liked that it was a fantasy murder mystery. I guessed it fairly easy, but there were still other surprises at the end. Bianca is my favourite character. I like how grey she is. I am interested in how this is going to end in the next book. I didn’t like the insta love. I was hoping she would cut the fated thread and then still end up liking him. I needed more buildup for the relationship. Their banter was lacking. Edei is a bit boring. I would rate this more like 3.75

I thought that this book was a fantastic idea. I love the idea of looking into the youngest sister of the three Fates and having a new take on Greek mythology. I love the magical system and think it's a fresh take that I hope she continued into the sequel that happened. Also, the blending of different genres made for a very successful book. I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next after this series is done.

Review: The Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

I enjoyed reading The Threads That Bind and found the story intricate and captivating. However, there were moments where I felt a bit disappointed—the world-building, while intriguing, left some gaps that I wished had been further explored. I wanted more depth and explanation to fully immerse myself in the world.

That said, the premise is unique, and the story kept me engaged. Despite its shortcomings, I’m invested enough to continue the series and see how it all unfolds.

✨ Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC! ✨

I'm a sucker for anything related to Greek mythology and this book delivered. It was unique, action-packed, and complex. While it might be a lot to keep track of for some, I loved it.